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Disposition Affects Feedlot And Carcass Value
Poor disposition in cattle can reduce their chances of grading Prime and premium Choice by 50%, says Darrel Busby, Iowa State University Extension animal scientist.
Busby used data from more than 13,000 calves from 12 states fed at eight Iowa feedyards and consigned to the Iowa Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity to shed light on the relative profitability of cattle with varying temperament. The Iowa Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity is designed to help producers measure profitability in feedlot cattle.
Using the six-point Beef Improvement Federation disposition scoring system, Futurity calves were scored three times in the feeding period, then grouped by average scores into three categories -- docile, restless and aggressive.
Aggressive calves, representing 5.8% of the total, gained 8% slower on feed and had nearly double the mortality rate (1.91% vs. 1.09%), compared to docile calves, Busby reports.
The percentage of Prime and premium Choice carcasses was reduced from 24.31% to 12.15% when comparing aggressive to docile calves. Equally concerning was the percentage of poor quality grade, Standard carcasses, which nearly doubled (2.55% vs. 5.55%). Certified Angus Beef® acceptance rates for eligible Angus-type calves dropped from 29.07% to 14.3% when disposition declined.
Taking into account quality and yield grade, feedlot gain, death loss and treatment costs, docile calves returned $62.15 more than aggressive calves, Busby says.
-- Michigan State University Beef Cattle Research Update
Disposition Affects Feedlot And Carcass Value
Poor disposition in cattle can reduce their chances of grading Prime and premium Choice by 50%, says Darrel Busby, Iowa State University Extension animal scientist.
Busby used data from more than 13,000 calves from 12 states fed at eight Iowa feedyards and consigned to the Iowa Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity to shed light on the relative profitability of cattle with varying temperament. The Iowa Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity is designed to help producers measure profitability in feedlot cattle.
Using the six-point Beef Improvement Federation disposition scoring system, Futurity calves were scored three times in the feeding period, then grouped by average scores into three categories -- docile, restless and aggressive.
Aggressive calves, representing 5.8% of the total, gained 8% slower on feed and had nearly double the mortality rate (1.91% vs. 1.09%), compared to docile calves, Busby reports.
The percentage of Prime and premium Choice carcasses was reduced from 24.31% to 12.15% when comparing aggressive to docile calves. Equally concerning was the percentage of poor quality grade, Standard carcasses, which nearly doubled (2.55% vs. 5.55%). Certified Angus Beef® acceptance rates for eligible Angus-type calves dropped from 29.07% to 14.3% when disposition declined.
Taking into account quality and yield grade, feedlot gain, death loss and treatment costs, docile calves returned $62.15 more than aggressive calves, Busby says.
-- Michigan State University Beef Cattle Research Update
